Supreme Court To Examine Petitions Against Tamil Nadu Government’s Directive on Temple Priests
- On September 25, the Supreme Court agreed to review several petitions that claim the Tamil Nadu government is seeking to appoint “non-believers” as archakas (priests) in violation of the longstanding Agamas (religious texts) that regulate temples.
- The Supreme Court has requested the state government’s response to these petitions, which seek to cancel directives issued in July and August for pooja/ritual training.
- The petitions argue these directives contradict the Supreme Court’s own rulings that upheld the rights of religious denominations and the enforcement of Agamas (religious texts) in temple affairs.
- The claim insists that any breach of Agamas could potentially desecrate the divine images and bring calamity upon devotees.
- According to the Agamas, only specific denominations like Shivachariyas, Gurukkals, Adi Salivars, Battars, Pancharatra, and Vaikhanasa Battachariyars are eligible to conduct poojas in Saivite and Vaishnavite temples, a practice followed since ancient times.
Source: The Hindu
Unravelling Disease X
- Disease X belongs to 25 virus families, with potential of one million undiscovered variants.
- Scientists strive to unravel the mysteries of Disease X, with no concrete findings yet.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged Disease X as a potential global epidemic threat in 2018.
- The epidemic threat was realised a year later with the onslaught of Covid-19.
- Experts draw a stark comparison between Disease X and other diseases; it’s as contagious as measles and as deadly as Ebola.
- Ebola’s fatality rate varies between 25 to 90 percent and is predominantly found in South Africa.
- Experts suggest the potential source of Disease X, saying it could already be replicating somewhere in the world.
- The increasing virulence of global diseases is a direct consequence of modernisation, globalisation, and urbanisation.
Source: Live Mint
AI Tool To Assist The Search For Extraterrestrial Life
- A new study reveals an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can assist scientists in finding signs of life on Mars and other planets.
- The AI tool can distinguish between life-originating molecules and those from non-living sources.
- Published in the PNAS journal, the study suggests this tool could revolutionise the search for alien life and enrich our comprehension of early Earth life’s chemistry and origin.
- The AI tool can be implemented in space robots, landers, and rovers to detect life signs before samples are transported back to Earth.
- The paper underscores that noticeable biosignatures can include body fossils or biological samples such as shells, teeth, and bones.
- Other biosignatures encompass DNA, lipids, and atmospheric molecules, which organisms produce when they metabolise compounds.
Uncovering Extraterrestrial Life: A New Approach
- Scientists investigate ways to identify signs of alien life, acknowledging that alien life forms may not use DNA or amino acids, like Earth’s life forms.
- The research team proposes that life-based molecules follow certain patterns or rules.
- By understanding these rules, scientists could potentially trace the origins of life or find evidence of extraterrestrial life.
- The team starts their investigation with the belief that life’s chemistry is fundamentally different from non-life, implying distinct ‘chemical rules of life.’
- Using high-tech instruments, they analyse 134 different samples, both living and nonliving, separating and identifying ingredients and determining their molecular weights.
- This data is then utilised to train an AI, which is later asked to predict the origin of new samples.
- These new samples include extraterrestrial substances, such as carbonaceous meteorites, regarded as the most primitive objects in the solar system.
- An AI program has been developed boasting 90% accuracy when tested on various samples.
- Tested samples included items from living organisms like shells, bones, leaves, and human hair, as well as geologically processed remnants like coal and amber, and purely chemical or cosmic origins like amino acids and meteorites.
- The AI tool has proven capable of identifying samples that are hundreds of millions of years old.
- The technology could potentially resolve ongoing debates in the scientific community, such as if 3.5 billion-year-old black sediments from Western Australia contain ancient microbial remains.
- The research team is currently utilising this method to tackle such long-standing questions.
Source: Down To Earth
New Developments In India’s Pharma-MedTech Sector
National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector in India and Scheme for promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP).
National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector in India and Scheme for promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) have been launched by the Union Ministry of Health.
About National Policy On Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector in India
- The pharmaceutical sector in India, including education, training, and high-end research, is closely associated with the National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs).
- Ranking third globally by volume, India’s pharmaceutical industry is worth around USD 50 billion currently. Predicted growth could take this to USD 120-130 billion over the next decade, driven by expansion in innovation.
- Following the 46th Report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee, a High-level Inter-departmental Committee was formed to draft an R&D and Innovation policy. This committee comprised representatives from ministries, departments, and industry leaders.
- The committee finalised its report in September 2020, focusing on academia-industry linkage in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
- A ‘Policy to Catalyse R&D and Innovation in the Pharma MedTech Sector in India’ has been drafted based on the report’s recommendations. This policy aims to encourage R&D, foster innovation, and create an entrepreneurial environment, with a goal for India to become a leader in drug discovery and innovative medical devices.
- The new policy was officially published in the gazette on August 18, 2023.
Highlights Of The PRIP Scheme
- The government recognises the necessity for pharmaceutical innovation, as stated in the 23-24 Budget announcement.
- A new programme will be introduced to boost research and innovation in pharmaceuticals through Centres of Excellence.
- The industry will be encouraged to invest in research and development in specific priority areas.
- The Department of Pharmaceutical proposed the PRIP scheme with a budget outlay of Rs. 5000 crores, as announced on 17th August 2023 via Gazette notification.
- The PRIP scheme aims to transition the Indian pharmaceutical sector from cost-based to innovation-based growth.
- This scheme will strengthen the country’s research infrastructure, promoting industry-academia linkages for R&D in priority areas.
- The plan is to foster a culture of quality research, nurturing India’s pool of scientists, leading to a sustained global competitive advantage.
- The scheme also aims to generate quality employment opportunities in the country.
Source: PIB
Waheeda Rehman To Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award
- Union Minister Anurag Thakur announced that legendary actress Ms Waheeda Rehman will be honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2021.
- Rehman is recognised for her significant contributions to Indian cinema.
- She has performed in prominent Hindi films, including Pyaasa, Kaagaz ke Phool, Chaudhavi Ka Chand, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Guide, Khamoshi, and others.
- Rehman’s career spans over five decades, and she is appreciated for her versatile acting.
- She won a National Film Award for her performance in the film, Reshma and Shera.
- Rehman has received notable accolades, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards.
- The award’s announcement comes after the passing of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
- Rehman is not only celebrated for her acting, but also for her philanthropic activities and societal contributions.
- The award will be presented during the 69th National Film awards ceremony.
- Waheeda Rehman is a renowned actress with many achievements over the years.
- She showcased her acting skills in more than 90 films over a career that lasted over five decades.
- She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her influential roles in the movies “Guide” (1965) and “Neel Kamal” (1968).
- In 1971, she was awarded the National Award for Best Actress.
- Her work has received significant critical acclaim.
Source: PIB
Pangaea Ultima
A recent study suggests that the next supercontinent’s formation could cause the eradication of mammals. Scientists predict this by studying mammals’ heat tolerance and the Earth’s future climate conditions, 250 million years from now. They believe that the likely next supercontinent, termed “Pangaea Ultima,” will lead to this mass extinction.